Author's note....
To see how these two met, check out "Star's Embrace".
Jacob and Arlite's respective jobs don't allow for them to spend much time together, and their relationship suffers as a result. It'll take communication and compromise to save their marriage.
Excerpt
"Your wife's ship has docked, Ambassador."
"Very good." Ambassador. He still couldn't get used to the title. Jacob turned and peeked into their bedchamber with a smile. From the Toralian candles he had imported, to the Prevarsi wine he'd managed to salvage from his ship's stock, everything was ready for tonight. Everything was perfect. It had to betonight would be the first time he had seen his wife in two months.
And of course, there was the argument they'd had before she left to make up for. Though Arlite stood staunchly against him leaving her home world, she did not seem to have any problem with leaving herself. As a citizen Ambassador, Arlite's duties were weighty and importantnot ceremonial like the ones that went along with his honorary title. Jacob understood, but that didn't mean he had to like it. Which meant they argued about it. Often.
What hurt the most was she had not asked him to accompany her on any of her journeys. He understood her reasoning behind that decision as well, though. Arlite already had a capable pilot and a bruiser of a guard, both of whom had been with her for several years, and whom she trusted implicitly. Nevertheless, understanding didn't lessen the sting of being left out. Or of being left behind on his own.
Arlite's father still hadn't warmed to himthe man probably never wouldand he had no friends to speak of among his Maltinian neighbors. Jacob spent his time without her reading up on technical manuals, losing chess games with Arlite's electronic interface, and jacking off to thoughts of his wife. He sighed. Henpecked. He'd become entirely henpecked. He shook off the thought just in time to see Arlite step through the door.
Clad in a floor-length, shimmering red dress that clung to her curves unmercifully, her long, thick hair done up into a bun with a colorful feather sticking out, she walked toward him with the graceful ease only a Maltinian possessed. Arlite's face lit up in a wide, sweet smile, and Jacob felt his knees tremble in response. She crossed to him and brushed her lips gently across his cheek.
"I have missed you," she whispered.
Jacobs's stomach did flip-flops. He snaked his arms around her waist, gasped as she pressed him back against the wall. God, it felt good to have her back home where she belonged.
